Personal watercraft having a removable pedestal

ABSTRACT

A personal watercraft is described having a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, a propulsion unit driven by the engine, and a steering unit to steer the propulsion unit. A deck is supported above the hull. The deck includes an opening therethrough to provide access to the engine. A pedestal is disposed on the deck and releasably fastened to the deck. The pedestal includes an opening therethrough. The pedestal opening is disposed at a position vertically above the deck opening. A seat is supported by the pedestal and releasably fastened thereto. The seat is moveable from a first position where the seat covers the pedestal opening to at least a second position where the seat does not cover the pedestal opening.

[0001] This application relies for priority on U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/357,852, entitled “PERSONAL WATERCRAFT HAVINGA REMOVABLE PEDESTAL,” filed on Feb. 21, 2002, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated into the present application by reference.

FIELD THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to personal watercraft (otherwisereferred to as “PWCs”). More specifically, the present inventionconcerns the construction of the pedestal that supports the seat on aPWC.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] PWCs are a type of recreational vehicle having a hull and a deckwith a straddle-type seat disposed on the deck. The seat is typicallyconfigured to hold one or more riders.

[0004] The seat on a PWC is supported by a pedestal portion of a deck.The pedestal portion of the deck is elevated with respect to a lowerportion of the deck upon which the driver (or rider) places his or herfeet. The seat is removable from the pedestal portion of the deck.

[0005] When the seat is removed, an opening is exposed into the interiorof the PWC. Since the engine is typically located beneath the seat,after the seat has been removed, the engine is accessible through theopening to allow routine maintenance and repairs.

[0006] To allow the driver and rider(s) to comfortably straddle the seatin either a seated or a standing position, the pedestal portion of thedeck typically narrows from the base portion (where it extends from thedeck) to the seat.

[0007] Because the pedestal portion of the deck narrows progressivelytoward the top, the opening within the pedestal beneath the seat is toosmall for certain types of maintenance to easily performed on theengine. Additionally, if the engine needs to be removed entirely fromthe PWC, some of the engine components must be partially removed fromthe engine while it is still in the personal watercraft before it can beremoved through the opening in the pedestal. This procedure can becomplex, time consuming, and expensive.

[0008] A need, therefore, has developed for a PWC design that allows awide variety of different types of routine maintenance to be performedeasily on the engine.

[0009] There is an additional need for a personal watercraft that allowsthe engine to be removed from the watercraft as a unit, withoutrequiring substantial removal of the engine components.

[0010] As indicated, these needs are not addressed by the designs ofPWCs in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to provide apersonal watercraft that allows a wide variety of different types ofroutine maintenance to be performed easily on the engine.

[0012] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide apersonal watercraft that allows the engine to be removed from thewatercraft as a unit, without requiring substantial dismantling of theengine.

[0013] Therefore, in one embodiment, the present invention provides apersonal watercraft comprising a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, apropulsion unit driven by the engine, and a steering unit to steer thewatercraft. A deck is supported on the hull. The deck includes anopening therethrough to provide access to the engine. A pedestal isdisposed on the deck and at least a portion of the pedestal isreleasably fastened to the deck. The pedestal includes an openingtherethrough. The pedestal opening is disposed at a position verticallyabove the deck opening. A seat is supported by the pedestal andreleasably fastened to the pedestal. The seat is moveable from a firstposition where the seat covers the pedestal opening to at least a secondposition where the seat does not cover the pedestal opening.

[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a personalwatercraft comprising a hull, an engine disposed in the hull, apropulsion unit driven by the engine, and a steering unit to steer thewatercraft. A deck is supported on the hull. The deck includes anopening therethrough to provide access to the engine. The deck has aport and starboard portions adjacent to the opening. A pedestal isdisposed on the deck and at least a portion of the pedestal isreleasably fastened to the deck. The pedestal includes a port portionand a starboard portion, the pedestal port portion being disposedvertically above the deck port portion, the pedestal starboard portionbeing disposed vertically above the deck starboard portion. At least aportion of the port portion is disposed at a spaced apart distance fromthe starboard portion. The pedestal further includes a connectingelement connecting the pedestal port portion to the pedestal starboardportion. A seat is supported by the pedestal and releasably fastened tothe pedestal. A latch assembly releasably connects the seat to thepedestal.

[0015] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent fromthe discussion that follows, the drawings, and the claims appendedhereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Reference will be made hereinafter to the accompanying drawings,which illustrate various embodiments of the present invention discussedherein below, wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a partial, perspective view, from the stem of the deckand hull, of one embodiment of the personal watercraft of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a partial, perspective view, from one side of the deckand hull, of the embodiment of the personal watercraft of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment for a pedestal for use withthe personal watercraft of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the pedestal shown in FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of the embodiment of thepersonal watercraft shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the perspective illustratingthe pedestal shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 after it has been installed on thedeck;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of the personal watercraftof the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, showing one embodiment of aseat arrangement;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the personal watercraft of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 6, showing a portion of the deck brokenaway to reveal details of a portion of the seat arrangement;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment of the personal watercraftof the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, showing a second embodimentof a seat arrangement;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective, bottom view of the second embodiment ofthe seat arrangement or the personal watercraft illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the deck of theembodiment of the personal watercraft illustrated in FIGS. 1-5;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pedestal disposed on the deckof the embodiment of the personal watercraft of the present inventionshown in FIG. 10;

[0028]FIG. 11A is a partial sectional view taken along line 11A-11A inFIG. 6 showing an alternative embodiment of a pedestal;

[0029]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pedestal illustrated in FIG.11, showing a grab handle attached to the pedestal portion;

[0030]FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of another embodiment of apedestal and seat arrangement for the personal watercraft of the presentinvention;

[0031]FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment of the personalwatercraft of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, showing a pedestalpivoted rearwardly;

[0032]FIG. 15 is a side view of the embodiment of the personalwatercraft of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, showing the seatremoved from the pedestal;

[0033]FIG. 16 is a side view illustration of an alternative embodimentof the pedestal portion of the watercraft of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a further alternative embodiment ofthe pedestal portion of the watercraft of the present invention; and

[0035]FIG. 18 is a bottom view of yet another alternative embodiment ofthe pedestal portion of the watercraft of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036]FIG. 1 shows a partially assembled personal watercraft 10 having ahull 11, an engine 12 disposed in the hull 11, and a propulsion unit 14driven by the engine 12. A deck 20 is supported by the hull 11 at aposition above the hull 11.

[0037] The deck 20 includes an opening 22 therethrough to provide accessto the engine 12. The deck opening 22 includes a perimeter lip 23.Disposed around the perimeter lip 23 of the opening 22 are first andsecond side edges 24 and 26, the distance therebetween defining thewidth of the opening 22. The perimeter lip 23 of the opening 22 furtherincludes a forward edge 28 and a rearward edge 30, the distancetherebetween defining the length of the opening 22. The width and lengthof the opening are sized so that the engine 12 may be inserted into thehull 11 or removed from the hull 11 in its entirety without thenecessity of removing engine components or at least without thenecessity of removing a significant number of engine components. Forexample, the engine 12, air intake manifold, exhaust manifold and thethrottle body (not shown) could be removed as a unit through the opening22. The opening 22 also allows for maintenance to be performed on theengine 12 and the engine components more easily and/or without having toremove the engine 12 and the engine components from the hull. Theperimeter lip 23 that surrounds the opening 22 is adapted to function asa pedestal support surface. It should be noted that perimeter lip 23 isvertically lower relative to the engine 12 than in prior art watercraft,in which it corresponds to the pedestal's perimeter lip. In a preferredembodiment, the perimeter lip 23 is lower than a top portion of theengine 12. Also shown in FIG. 1 are fastener openings 32 and a tow loop34.

[0038]FIG. 2 shows the personal watercraft of FIG. 1 from a side view.The large size of the opening 22 is easily seen in FIG. 2. As discussed,the opening 22 is sized, both in width and length, so that the engine 12may be removed from the hull 11 without significant disassembly.“Without significant disassembly” is a term that would be understood bythose skilled in the art. While not limited to a specific number ofcomponents, the term is meant to mean that only a few components need tobe removed from (or disconnected from) the engine so that it will passthrough the opening 22.

[0039]FIG. 3 shows a top view of a pedestal 40, which is configured tobe used with the personal watercraft 10 shown in FIG. 1. The pedestal 40is configured to be releasably fastened to the deck 20 at a positionvertically above the deck opening 22. The pedestal 40 includes anopening 41 therethrough. The pedestal 40 is arranged such that thepedestal opening 41, as is shown in FIG. 5, is positioned above the deckopening 22.

[0040] The pedestal 40 includes a perimeter lip 42 disposed around theopening 41. The perimeter lip 42 includes first and second side edges 44and 46, the distance therebetween defining the width of the opening 41.The perimeter lip 42 of the opening 41 further includes a forward edge48 and a rearward edge 50, the distance therebetween defining the lengthof the opening 41.

[0041] The pedestal further includes a port side wall 52 which extendsdownwardly from the side edge 46 and a starboard side wall 54 whichextends downwardly from the side edge 44. A bottom edge 58 forms thebottom of the pedestal 40.

[0042] Also shown in FIG. 3 is a grab handle assembly 66. The grabhandle assembly 66 is manufactured separately from the pedestal 40 andis attached through the use of suitable fasteners such as threadedfasteners. The grab handle 66 preferably is manufactured from moldedplastic. However, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, thegrab handle 66 alternatively may be manufactured integrally with thepedestal. A pin 68, which is part of a latch assembly for securing aseat to the pedestal 40, is disposed on the pedestal 40 proximate to oron the grab handle 66.

[0043]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the pedestal 40. This view shows a deckcontact surface 60. The deck contact surface 60 is sized to mate withthe perimeter lip 23 that surrounds the opening 22 in the deck 20. Aseal 62 is disposed within the deck contact surface 60. Alternatively,the seal 62 could also be disposed within the perimeter lip 23 or be apart completely separate from the deck contact surface 60 and theperimeter lip 23. The seal 62 is operatively adapted to form awaterproof connection between the deck contact surface 60 and theperimeter lip 23 that surrounds the deck opening 22. The seal 62preferably is constructed from a waterproof material such as neoprene orsilicon. However, any other suitable material may be used instead.

[0044]FIG. 4 also shows a rear wall portion 56. The rear wall portion56, like the port side wall 52 and the starboard side wall 54, extendsupwardly from the deck 20 when the pedestal 40 is disposed thereon. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, a skirt 64 extends downwardly from the perimeterlip 42 to the pedestal bottom edge 58. The skirt 64 extends from theport side wall 52, the starboard side wall 54, and the rear wall portion56 in such a way as to overlap a portion of the deck 20 proximate to thedeck opening 23. Accordingly, the deck contact surface 60 and the seal62 are both hidden beneath the skirt 64 when the pedestal 40 is coupledto the deck 20.

[0045] The purpose of the skirt 64 is mainly decorative. However, as theskirt 64 covers the seal 62 that separates the deck 20 from the pedestal40, the skirt also assists in preventing water from penetrating betweenthe deck 20 and the pedestal 40 by presenting a convoluted path from theexterior to the interior of the watercraft 10.

[0046] The portion of the skirt 64 that extends from the rear wallportion 56 includes fastener openings 65 which are configured to matewith the fastener openings 32 disposed on the deck 20. Threadedfasteners (or other fasteners known in the art) engage the openings 65and 32 to releasably secure the pedestal 40 to the deck 20.

[0047] Adjacent to the fastener openings 65 is a hole 67 through whichthe tow loop 34 extends when the pedestal 40 is disposed on the deck 20.The tow loop 34 may be provided to tow a water skier behind the personalwatercraft.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 41 within the pedestal 40 isconsiderably shorter and narrower than the deck opening 22, the size ofwhich is defined by the seal 62. While these proportions are illustratedin the figures, it is contemplated that the proportions are merelyexemplary of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope thereof.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the pedestal opening 41 is covered by a seatassembly 70. Accordingly, the pedestal 40 is interposed between the seat70 and the deck 20.

[0050]FIG. 5 shows the pedestal 40 disposed on the deck 20. The pedestalbottom edge 58 marks the location on the deck 20 where the pedestalskirt 64 overlaps the deck 20. The deck contact surface 60 and the seal62 are hidden behind the skirt 64. FIG. 5 also shows how the rear wallportion 56 of the pedestal 40 serves to considerably elevate therearward edge 50 of the perimeter lip 42 relative to the forward edge48. The grab handle 66 is shown in FIG. 5 extending from the rearwardportion of the pedestal 40 in a manner where the grab handle 66 iscantilevered above the rear wall portion 56.

[0051] Unlike the deck opening 22, the pedestal opening 41 is too smallto allow the removal of the engine 12 as a unit therethrough withoutfirst removing a significant number of engine components. Additionally,working on the engine 12 through the pedestal opening 41 may be moredifficult than working on the engine 12 through the deck opening 22 dueto the more restricted access provided thereby.

[0052]FIG. 6 shows the personal watercraft of FIGS. 1 through 5 in afully assembled condition. FIG. 6 shows a steering unit 16, which isoperatively arranged to steer the propulsion unit 14. Also shown, is asponson 600, which improves the handling of the watercraft, a similarsponson 600 is provided on the opposite side of the watercraft 10. Areverse gate 602 is provided to redirect the thrust provided bypropulsion unit 14 to allow watercraft 10 to move in reverse. Thereverse gate 602 can be activated by a driver of the personal watercraft10 through the use of reverse gate handle 604. A seat 70 is supported bythe pedestal 40 and is releasably fastened to the pedestal 40 at anelevated position relative thereto.

[0053] The seat 70 is moveable from a first position where the seat 70covers the pedestal opening 41 (the pedestal opening 41 is shown inFIGS. 3-5) to at least a second position where the seat 70 does notcover the pedestal opening 41. The seat 70 includes a top surface 72that is suitable for one or more riders. The seat 70 includes a latch 74that is used to secure the seat 70 to the pedestal 40. The latch 74 isoperatively adapted to releasably engage the latch pin 68 that isdisposed on the grab handle 66 on the pedestal 40. Accordingly the latch74 and the latch pin 68 comprise a latch assembly. A lever 76 serves tooperate the latch 74.

[0054] In FIG. 6, the seat 70 is shown in a position where the latch 74has been released from the pin 68 and the rear portion of the seat 70has been elevated slightly in relation to the pedestal 40 in thedirection of the arrow. It is understood that the latch assemblycomprising the latch 74 and the pin 68 is one of many possible lockingmechanisms that may be used to releasably secure the seat 70 to thepersonal watercraft 10 and that the present invention is not limitedsolely thereto.

[0055]FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the forward portion of the seat70, which is secured to the deck 20 during operation of the watercraft10. Specifically, the seat 70 includes a forward extending tab 78 thatis retained within a ventilation opening 36. Upon the releasing thelatch 74 from the pin 68 (as shown in FIG. 6), the seat can be movedrearwardly to release the tab 78 from the ventilation opening 36 thisallows the seat 70 to be removed from the pedestal 40.

[0056]FIG. 8 illustrates a port side view of a watercraft 100, which isan alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,the seat 80 comprises a first seat section 82 and a second seat section84. The first seat section 82 is disposed behind the second seat section84. The first seat section 82 and second seat section 84 are bothsupported by the pedestal 40 at a vertical position above the deck 20.

[0057]FIG. 9 illustrates one possible configuration contemplated tosecure the first and second seat sections 82, 84 together. As shown, thefirst seat section 82 includes forward extending tabs 86 a, 86 b. Abridge element 88, disposed between side edges 44 and 46, includes loops92 a, 92 b within which the tabs 86 a, 86 b can be retained. The bridgeelement 88 also includes a latch pin 94. The second seat section 84includes a latch 96, operated by a lever 98, which mates with the latchpin 94 to secure the second seat section 84.

[0058] FIGS. 10-12 provide additional details for the personalwatercraft 10 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the deck 20includes a bridge element 105 which is disposed at the rearward portionof the deck opening 22. The bridge element 105 is supported by the deck20 and spans across the opening 22 between the first side edge 24 andthe second side edge 26. The bridge element 105 includes a number offastener openings 101, 102, 103, and 104.

[0059] Among other advantages, the bridge element 105 providesstructural support for the pedestal 40 at the rear end. This isparticularly advantageous when the watercraft 10 includes a seat 70specifically designed to accommodate two or more riders thereon. Ofcourse, the bridge element 105 may be incorporated into the watercraft10 even if it is designed to accommodate only a single rider (i.e., thedriver). It should also be understood that bridge element 105 could besupported within the pedestal 40 to provide it with structural supporteven when it is removed from the deck 20. In this case, the bridgeelement 105 could be integral with the pedestal 40.

[0060] The bridge element 105 can also be used to attach variouscomponents of the watercraft. For example, the bridge element 105 couldhave openings and support ventilation tubes (not shown) or it couldsupport a coolant reservoir (not shown).

[0061]FIG. 11 illustrates the position of the pedestal 40 on the deck20. The pedestal 40 includes first and second forward attachment flanges162 and 164, which extend in a forward direction from the forward edge48. First and second threaded fasteners 166 and 168 are shown elevatedabove the attachment flanges 162 and 164. The fasteners 166 and 168extend through openings 165, 167 (see FIGS. 3 and 4, for example) withineach of the attachment flanges 162 and 164 to secure the forward portionof the pedestal 40 to the deck 20. As would be apparent to one skilledin the art, the fasteners 166, 168 could be secured within a threadedinsert disposed within the deck 20, or could be used in association witha nut and washer. Alternatively, it would be apparent to one skilled inthe art to attach the forward portion of the pedestal 40 to the deck 20through the use of other types of fasteners, such as quick releasefasteners or quarter-turn screws, or to provide an interlockingstructure which interlocks the forward portion of the pedestal 40 to thedeck 20 without the use of fasteners.

[0062] Also shown in FIG. 11 is a grab handle support surface 170disposed at the rearward portion of the pedestal 40. The grab handlesupport surface 170 is disposed behind the rearward edge 50. Twofastener openings 172 and 173 are disposed on the port side of the grabhandle support surface 170, and two fastener openings 176 and 177 aredisposed on the starboard side of the grab handle support surface 170.Fasteners 174, 175, 178, and 179 are shown elevated above the fastenersopenings 172, 173, 176, and 177. The fasteners 174, 175, 178, and 179pass through the fastener openings 172, 173, 176, and 177 and aresecured within the fastener openings 101, 102, 103, and 104 within thebridge element 100 shown in FIG. 10. Fastener openings 180 and 181 arealso disposed within the grab handle support surface 170. Fasteneropenings 180 and 181 are used to secure the grab handle assembly 66 ontothe pedestal 40. It should be understood that more or less fasteners maybe used.

[0063]FIG. 11A shows an alternative embodiment of pedestal 40. In thisembodiment, pedestal 40 is made of two members, the pedestal structuremember 40A and the pedestal cover member 40B. The pedestal structuresmember 40A provides the structural support of pedestal 40. It includesthe pedestal perimeter lip 42 and the deck contact surface 60 on whichseal 62 is provided. The pedestal cover member 40B is fastened, usingrivets or any other suitable fasteners, or is bonded to the outersurface of the pedestal structure member 40A and serves an aestheticfunction by covering reinforcing ribs 622. The pedestal cover membercould be extended over the deck 20 to provide a skirt such as skirt 64.

[0064]FIG. 11A also shows an alternative method of securing the pedestal40 to the deck 20. The forward portion of the pedestal 40 is secured tothe deck 20 with attachment flanges 162, 164 as described above. Thepedestal 40 is also secured near its longitudinal center by deck linkson either side. For simplicity, only the port side will be described butit should be understood that the starboard side functions the same way.The pedestal structure member 40A has a tab 614 extending towards thecenter of the watercraft 10. Deck link 618 is placed such as the decklink retaining portion is under deck perimeter lip 23. Deck link 618 isthen secured to tab 614 by using a threaded fastener 616 or any othersuitable type of fastener. In this way, the deck perimeter lip 23 isclamped by the deck link 618, securing the pedestal 40 to the deck 20. Acushioning member 620, made of a pliable material such as neoprene, canbe placed between the retaining portion 624 of the deck link 618 and thedeck perimeter lip 23 to provided a better contact surface and reducethe transfer of vibrations between the deck 20 and the pedestal 40.

[0065]FIG. 12 shows the grab handle assembly 66 secured to the pedestal40 in a preferred configuration. As would be apparent to one skilled inthe art, the grab handle assembly 66 may include fastener openings 182,183 (see FIG. 3) through which fasteners (also not shown) may pass. Thefasteners may be disposed within the fastener openings 180 and 181within the rearward portion of the pedestal 40. The seat (not shown inFIG. 12) attaches to the pedestal 40 in the manner previously describedwith respect to FIGS. 6 through 9 (or through other known methods, aswould be apparent to one of skill in the art).

[0066] FIGS. 13-15 show yet another embodiment of the present invention.In this embodiment, the pedestal 240 includes a starboard side wall 242,a rearward side wall 244, and a port side wall (not shown) that attachesto the starboard side wall 242 through the rearward side wall 244. Thepedestal 240 is attached to the deck 20 through the use of a hingeelement 246 disposed at the rearward portion of the pedestal 240 at aposition beneath a grab handle 244. A seat 250 is detachably secured tothe pedestal 240. The seat 250 may be secured to the pedestal 240 in themanner previously described with respect to FIGS. 6 through 9 or throughother known methods as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.FIG. 15 shows seat 250 removed from the pedestal 240.

[0067] As has been previously described, the seat 250 includes a latchmechanism (not shown) to secure the seat 250 to pedestal 240. FIGS. 13and 14 show a hinge 246 which pivotally attaches the pedestal 240 to thedeck 20. The hinge 246 is disposed at a bottom rear portion of thepedestal 240. FIG. 14 shows the pedestal 240 pivoted rearwardly withrespect to the deck 20. As would be apparent to one skilled in the art,the hinge 246 shown in this embodiment could also have been used in thepreviously described embodiments of the invention. As would also beapparent to one skilled in the art, the pedestal 240 may be separatedentirely from the deck 20 at the hinge 246.

[0068] Other embodiments of the invention are also contemplated. Inparticular, as illustrated in FIG. 16 the watercraft 10 may be providedwith a pedestal 340 that comprises one or more stacked, horizontalsections 342, 344. The first horizontal section 342 rests on the deck22, just as with the pedestal 40. The second horizontal section 344 isstacked onto the first horizontal section 342. The first and secondhorizontal sections meet one another at a seam line 346 that extendsfrom the front to the rear of the pedestal 340. A seal (not shown), suchas neoprene, may be disposed between the first and second horizontalsections 342, 344 to discourage water from entering the pedestal 340. Askirt (not shown) may be provided on the second horizontal section 344to cover the seal disposed between the first and second horizontalsections 342, 344. The skirt would assist in preventing water frompenetrating between the first and second horizontal sections 342, 344 bypresenting a convoluted path from the exterior to the interior of thewatercraft 10.

[0069] As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the presentinvention is not limited solely to first and second horizontal sections342, 344. It is contemplated that the pedestal 340 may comprise morethan two horizontal sections stacked one on top of the other beneath theseat 70.

[0070] As this embodiment illustrates, the pedestal 340 need not be aunitary member. Instead, the pedestal 340 may be removable from thewatercraft 10 in sections. One advantage of such a construction lies inthe fact that the entire pedestal need not be removed for access to theengine 12 in every instance. It is contemplated that removal of theupper pedestal layer 344 may provide sufficient access to the engine 12for maintenance and repair. Of course, if it becomes necessary to removethe engine 12 altogether, both pedestal layers 342, 344 would have to beremoved to expose the deck opening 22.

[0071] It is also contemplated with the embodiment illustrated in FIG.16 that the height of the seat 70 may be adjusted by removing a pedestallayer 344 of one height and replacing it with a pedestal layer 344 of adifferent height. In this manner, it is possible that the watercraft 10may be adjusted to accommodate differently-sized purchasers and/orriders.

[0072]FIG. 17 illustrates one further embodiment of a pedestal 440contemplated to fall within the scope of the present invention. Inparticular, it is contemplated that the pedestal 440 is dividedvertically. In other words, it is contemplated that the pedestal hasremovable sections that connect vertically with one another. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the pedestal 440 is divided into twosections, a first section 442 and a second section 444. The two sections442, 444 meet one another at seams 446, 448. First section 442 may needto be provided with at least one additional opening 606, for additionalfasteners (not shown), in order to attach first section 442 more rigidlyto the deck 20. Also, releasable connecting elements 608, such aslatches, may be desirable to ensure that first and second sections 442,444 meet as required.

[0073] As with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the sections 442,444 may be provided with seals (not shown) made of a material such asneoprene so that water is discouraged from entering the pedestal 440through the seams 446, 448. One of sections 442, and 444 may be providedwith extensions (not shown) to cover the seals disposed between thefirst and second sections 442, 444. The extensions, in a manner similarto the previously mentioned skirt 64, would assist in preventing waterfrom penetrating between the first and second sections 442, 444 bypresenting a convoluted path from the exterior to the interior of thewatercraft 10. Also, it is contemplated that the pedestal 440 maycomprise more than two sections 442, 444.

[0074] As FIG. 17 illustrates, it is preferred that the second section444 of the pedestal 440 include the rear end 450 of the pedestal 440.One advantage to this construction is that the second section 444includes the rear portion 450 that could be supported by a structuresuch as the bridge 105. As a result, it is contemplated that the secondsection 444 will offer a greater degree of vertical stability andstrength than a pedestal 440 that is subdivided into multiple verticalsections.

[0075] One advantage to the construction of the pedestal 440 is the factthat the entire pedestal 440 need not be removed for maintenance of theengine 12. In particular, the second section 444 may be removed, leavingthe first section 442 attached to the deck 20. In this manner, certainof the components may be accessed without requiring the additional laborinvolved with removing all of the sections 442, 444. As a result, thecost of maintenance may be reduced. For this reason, it is contemplatedthat the second section 444 could be made to be integral with the deck20. Of course, if the engine 12 must be removed as a unit, it iscontemplated that both of the sections 442, 444 of the pedestal 440 willhave to be removed to gain access to the deck opening 22.

[0076]FIG. 18 illustrates a variation of the pedestal 440 shown in FIG.17. Here, a pedestal 540 is divided into a port portion 552 and astarboard portion 554. The port and starboard portions 552, 554 areconnected to one another via a connecting portion 556. The rear portion558 is a separate section that mates with the port and starboardportions 552, 554 at the seams 560, 562. Seals (not shown) can beprovided at seams 560, 562 so that water is discouraged from enteringthe pedestal 540 through the seams 560, 562. Port and starboard sections552, 554 may need to be provided with additional openings 610, foradditional fasteners (not shown), in order to attach port and starboardsections 552, 554 more rigidly to the deck 20. Also, releasableconnecting elements 612, such as latches, may be desirable to ensurethat port and starboard sections 552, 554 meet rear portion 558 asrequired. In this embodiment, the port, starboard, and connectingportions 552, 554, 556 may be removed to gain access to the engine 12while the rear portion 558 remains connected to the deck 20. Extensions(not shown) of port, starboard and rear portions 552, 554, 558 may beprovided to cover the seals disposed at seams 560, 562. The extensions,in a manner similar to the previously mentioned skirt 64, would assistin preventing water from penetrating at seams 560, 562, by presenting aconvoluted path from the exterior to the interior of the watercraft 10.One advantage to this construction is that the rear portion 558 need notbe separated from the bridge 105 before maintenance may be performed. Inthis embodiment, it is possible that the deck opening 22 may be maylarge enough so that the engine 12 may be removed from the watercraft 10without having to remove the rear portion 558.

[0077] Alternatively, the port and starboard portions 552, 554 may beconnected via the rear portion 558. In this embodiment, which is notillustrated, the rear portion 558 of the pedestal 540 acts as theconnecting portion between the port and starboard portions 552, 554.This embodiment offers an advantage that the front portion of thepedestal 540 would remain attached to the deck 20 during maintenance ofthe engine 12. As a result, the components at the rear end of the engine12 would be more readily accessible.

[0078] In still another embodiment of the present invention, which isnot illustrated, it is contemplated that a hybrid between the pedestal340 and the pedestal 440 (and, alternatively, the pedestal 540) may beemployed. In this hybrid approach, the pedestal may comprise a number ofhorizontal and vertical pedestal sections that may be removed, like apuzzle to gain access to various components of the engine 12.

[0079] While the invention has been described with reference to apreferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapta particular situation, component, or material to the teachings of thepresent invention without departing from its teachings as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal watercraft comprising: a hull; a decksupported on the hull; an engine disposed between the hull and the deck;a propulsion unit driven by the engine; the deck including a deckopening therethrough to provide access to the engine; a removablepedestal disposed on the deck; the pedestal including a pedestal openingtherethrough, the pedestal opening being disposed at a positionvertically above the deck opening; and a seat supported by the pedestaland releasably attached to the pedestal, the seat being moveable from afirst position where the seat covers the pedestal opening to at least asecond position where the seat does not cover the pedestal opening. 2.The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the removable pedestal is releasablyfastened to the deck.
 3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the deckincludes a raised portion that extends upwardly therefrom to receive thepedestal thereon.
 4. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising aseal disposed between the deck and the pedestal.
 5. The watercraft ofclaim 1, wherein: the deck includes a pedestal support surface disposedproximate to the deck opening, and the pedestal includes a deck contactsurface arranged to mate with the pedestal support surface.
 6. Thewatercraft of claim 5, further comprising a seal disposed between thepedestal support surface and the deck contact surface.
 7. The watercraftof claim 6, further comprising a skirt that extends downwardlyvertically below the deck contact surface and the seal, the skirt beingdisposed in an overlapping relationship with at least a portion of thedeck.
 8. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a latch assemblyreleasably connecting the seat to the pedestal.
 9. The watercraft ofclaim 1, wherein the seat comprises at least first and second seatsections.
 10. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the deck opening islarge enough to allow the removal of the engine as a unit therethrough.11. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the pedestal opening is smallerthan the deck opening.
 12. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein thepedestal comprises a first removable horizontal section disposed on thedeck and a second removable horizontal section disposed on the firstremovable horizontal section.
 13. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein thepedestal comprises at least two vertical sections connected together.14. The watercraft of claim 13, wherein at least one of the verticalsections includes a rear wall of the pedestal.
 15. The watercraft ofclaim 5, wherein the pedestal support surface is lower than a topportion of the engine.
 16. A personal watercraft comprising: a hull; adeck supported on the hull; an engine disposed between the hull and thedeck; a propulsion unit driven by the engine; the deck including a deckopening therethrough to provide access to the engine; a pedestaldisposed on the deck; the pedestal having port, starboard, and rearwalls, and first and second pedestal sections; at least the secondpedestal section being removable and including a portion of the rearwall.
 17. The watercraft of claim 16, wherein: the first and secondpedestal sections are horizontal sections; and the second pedestalsection is disposed on top of the first pedestal section.
 18. Thewatercraft of claim 16, wherein the first and second pedestal sectionsare vertical sections.
 19. The watercraft of claim 18, wherein the firstpedestal section is integral with the deck.
 20. The watercraft of claim16, further comprising a seat supported by the pedestal and releasablyattached to the pedestal.